With the iPad scheduled to launch in the US next Saturday, April 3, Best Buy has begun launch preparations and is reportedly gearing up for the big event. According to MacRumors, the consumer electronics retailer will initially limit Apple’s latest creation to a dedicated Apple section found inside over half of its 1,000+ brick-and-mortar stores scattered across the nation:

Sources report that the iPad will initially be carried only at Best Buy locations offering devoted “store-within-a-store” Apple Shop sections. Approximately 675 of the company’s over 1000 U.S. locations offer such dedicated sales areas for Apple products, and other locations and bestbuy.com will not carry the iPad at launch.

The in-store display materials, four demo iPad units (one of them possibly a 3G model), and the Apple section layout changes are being planned for the launch. Sources also told the publication that the stores won’t open early because Best Buy is the only third-party retailer to participate in the launch alongside Apple.

MacRumors’ report has corroborated a leaked personal email from Steve Jobs informing a fan that only Apple and Best Buy will carry the device April 3. The message also confirmed that AT&T won’t “initially” launch the device. However, it’s expected that Apple’s exclusive iPhone carrier will join the bandwagon when the 3G iPad model debuts in late April.